Have you ever stopped and turned around to take a look
back? What do you see? We all have things we remember, special times and
events. Many of those are made during our vacations. Summertime is a great
time for making memories. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ.

When we reflect on the life we lived we see the milestones, the
memories that mark out our walk. We see the places of our greatest successes
and sometimes our biggest disappointments. We remember the times we spent
with friends and family, taking in the joys this life has to offer. What are
some of your favorite memories?

In life we experience a wide variety of things. We go through highs
and lows. We have joy and pain. As the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us
there is a time for everything under the heaven;

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,niv,
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under
heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to
uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to
build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to
dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace
and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to
keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to me, a time to be
silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for
war and a time for peace.

It’s no different in racing; just the
time frame may be a little shorter. We build up, we tear down, and we
rebuild sometimes within hours not days or weeks. Remember those times? The
story usually starts; “Remember that race where we ….” or “How bout the time
we ….” or “Wasn’t it great when we ….” And the story goes about how we made
it through the trials and challenges of racing. The memories created at the
track. Have you noticed that no matter how bad they seem our memories help
us laugh and chuckle.

Racers are a unique breed; they can see victory even in situations
that, to the spectator look like a failure. I think that’s what makes a
racer a racer, they have the ability to see past even the worst adversity
and find a silver lining. Competing is the goal; just let me go out there
and race. As one so aptly named go-cart track put it, settle it on the
track. I think the only disappointment a racer experiences is when they come
to the track and don’t get to race. Practice is nice, Qualifying is okay,
but get out of the way I came to race!

Racers see the positives in life more than the negatives. Even
through the challenging times racers know there will always be another day
to race. It is what we do. We show up at each track with the expectation of
winning. We are realistic about our chances, but the goal still remains
Victory Lane . Who knows what the day will bring? Racers are prepared for
just about anything and what they don’t have with them someone else will let
them borrow. That is the racing community I know.

In life we face the same challenges, the same ups and downs, and
the same disappointments. As we look back our memories sit as milestones
along the path of our life. We can list the common ones, birth, graduation,
job, marriage, children, home, retirement, etc. For racers we might add
first car, first race, first checkered flag, and first sponsor.

Do you notice the difference? Racers mark their milestones by the
first time they do something while most everyone else marks their milestones
by when they complete something. I guess it just means that racers expect to
do it again. They have an expectation that tomorrow will be better than
yesterday. Last is a four letter word in a racers vocabulary and it is not
used to remember things.

The events of our life that mean the most to us are life changing
events. They change the course of our lives. Christ came with one desire in
His heart, to provide the opportunity for Salvation to everyone; to change
our lives for the best. He said it in John’s Gospel this way;

John 10:10,niv, The thief
comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have
life, and have it to the full.

To provide us with a full life meant
Christ would have to give His life as a sacrifice for us. His entire purpose
was to sacrifice himself for us. He marked that milestone with three simple
words, “It is finished” in the 19th chapter of John’s gospel. There are many
important events in the life of Christ that are recorded in Scripture but
the most important one is this, he accomplished on the cross what we could
not do for ourselves. He paid the price for our sin.

We are forgiven because of this sacrifice. We have a restored
relationship with God because of this sacrifice. We can live an abundant
life because of this sacrifice.

As you reflect on the milestones of your life is there one there
that marks the day you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior? Is there one
that marks the day you followed Christ in Baptism? There should be. That
milestone is where your life changed. You began anew, you were born again!

If that milestone isn’t there allow me to help you mark it. We
invite you to truly mean and pray this simple prayer:

"Dear God, help me. I have tried and have fallen short of
the life you want for me. I am a sinner. Nothing I can do can save me from
my sin, I need Jesus. I ask Him into my life. This day, this moment, I
receive Jesus as my personal Savior. I submit to Him as my Lord and King. I
turn from my sins and turn toward You. I receive your forgiveness and will
strive to live for your glory. I receive your Holy Spirit to dwell richly
within me. I ask for this in Jesus’ Name. Thank you Father for saving me.
Amen."

If you prayed that prayer there is a new
milestone in your life, a day worthy of remembering. One that marks the day
you were saved from the penalty of sin and welcomed into the Kingdom of
Heaven . Congratulations. We invite you to share your decision with us so
that we might celebrate with you also..

THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD

THROUGH THE EYES OF GOGO; THE FIRST BEST
CRAZIEST WEEKEND - If you asked me about racing I would have never
thought it was that much fun. I am a crazy Haitian who drives the mountains
of Haiti on dirt roads with no guard rails, that’s fun and dangerous.
Attending my first ever race ignited a passion I never thought I had. I am
thankful for one of my best friends, Mr. Don Rivers, for inviting me. I had
a great time at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and can’t wait to go to another
race.

I knew nobody but was welcomed into the family with open arms and
big smiles. I felt so welcomed by the driver’s and teams of the Whelen
Modified Tour. I went to the Autograph Session for the Whelen Modified Tour
and met every driver, got their card and made lots of friends. I had the
opportunity to pray with some before the race, that was great. One driver
became my best friend, #99, Jamie Tomaino, he is so much fun. He calls me
the crazy Haitian driver. Jamie credited my prayer with helping him finish
10th, that was great also.

I also went to a dinner and shared the same table with Darrell
Waltrip. I had no idea who he was and how big of a racer he was. I learned
when they introduced him, Wow. I was just having fun talking with him, that
was great.

Those two days were the ones I was waiting for, they were the best
days in my life and I want more. I know from these simple seeds sown, the
harvest's will grow, grow and more, so that a dream can be followed. I can’t
wait for the next time.

NHMS MOD RACE DOESN’T DISAPPOINT - With the eyes of a live
television broadcast on them the Mods put on another classic at New
Hampshire . With 2 or 3 lead changes each lap this one was going to be a
barn burner. In the end Coby came out on top, rebounding from his
devastating crash at Riverhead followed by TC and Preece.

Ryan’s day wasn’t done as his debut in the Nationwide Series was on
tap next. He made the most of his first full fendered ride starting 27 and
coming home a respectable 24th.

ACTION PACKED VALENTI RACE COMPLETES THE WEEKEND - With a
busy weekend of racing for everyone Bobby and Vinetta with an assist from
Scott Martin at Canaan took in the action at Lee and made the drive to
Canaan for the VMRS race. Here are some comments.

What a difference in temperature it was this Friday Night under the
Lights at Lee USA. The air was much dryer and cooler, very relaxing to watch
the racing tonight and NEMA was on hand to provide action just as they
always do!

An open wheel driver made his way over to Lee from the “Magic
Mile”. Bobby Santos piloted the 7NY midget from Cantor Racing. I think Bobby
still had some of that Whelen Tour power with him, because he was pretty
close to lapping the whole field in the main event for NEMA. It didn’t take
long for him to get up to speed and once he did he won with over a half
track lead. In other NEMA action a violent crash between three cars with one
car flipping down the front straightaway but no injuries and all drivers
reportedly are doing fine.

In the weekly series the big talk of the town is the “Money Bags
75” Small Block Super 75 lap race taking place this Friday Night. There is
word that a few special guests may be making their way to the race and that
may make this one that is sure to be talked about the rest of the season! Be
sure to pencil this in for next Friday and don’t forget the camera!

As soon as the action completed for the evening Vinetta and I hit
the trail making our way up to Canaan . Last season heading for Canaan for
the Valenti Modified Racing Series was an interesting trip. We were dodging
hay bales falling off a wagon being pulled by a farm tractor. Well this time
we weren’t dodging hay bales, it was the Valenti Modifieds dodging each
other on the track for the feature race.

Since the start of the 2013 season we haven’t had this type of
racing, but I lost count on how many yellows or just gave up counting them.
The most significant crash was late in the race when #13 Steve Masse became
tangled up with other two other drivers and everyone held their breath until
it all stopped. It looks like the #13 got the worst of things and the car
may be lost for the season but he walked away with no injuries.

The field started out with 24 cars and only 12 took the checkered
flag. Taking home the win was #09 Tommy Barrett but it wasn’t that easy even
though he started on the pole. He battled with #05 of Chris Pasteryak and
#99 Rich Savary. The #99 was part of the crash with the #13 of Steve Masse
but was able to roll back out to complete the 100 lap race. The top three #9
Barrett, #5 Pasteryak,#92 Nocella.

This coming week it’s the Valenti Modified Racing Series heading to
Oxford Plains. It will be interesting how many are able to get their cars
back in shape for the Oxford Race. In a final note please keep Annette Joyce
in your prayers as she recovers from recent surgery.

UP NEXT - This week the NASCAR tours are off with the VMRS
heading to Oxford Plains to be part of the 40th Annual TD Bank 250 Weekend.
I am hoping to head to Seekonk on Wednesday for the Open Mod Show with NEMA,
hope to see you there.
Until next time, be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals
and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
http://www.rwjm.com/store. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter
what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. Remember that
God loves you, we love you and